A Storm Brews Over Engine Allegations
A diplomatic stir erupted this week following Congress’s claims that Russia is preparing to sell its advanced RD-93MA jet engines to Pakistan for its fleet of Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets. The allegation, which surfaced mere weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in December, has sparked an intense debate about Moscow’s loyalties and the state of India-Russia defence relations.
While Russia has firmly denied the accusation, branding it as “mischievous” and baseless, the episode highlights how fragile perceptions can be in geopolitics—especially when old allies find themselves tested by changing global alignments.
The Controversy: Congress’s Sharp Charge Against the Modi Government
On October 4, the Indian National Congress launched a sharp political offensive, questioning why Russia—once India’s most reliable strategic ally—would ignore New Delhi’s concerns and move ahead with supplying the upgraded RD-93MA engines to Pakistan.
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh alleged in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the latest Block III variant of Pakistan’s JF-17 aircraft would use this advanced engine, alongside the PL-15 missiles—reportedly used against India during Operation Sindoor. He further claimed that despite External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s interventions in June 2025, the deal had continued to progress.
Calling it a diplomatic failure, the Congress asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “personalised diplomacy” had faltered, allowing a trusted partner like Russia to engage militarily with Pakistan. The party also pointed to India’s ongoing defence purchases from Moscow—including S-400 missile systems and potential Su-57 stealth fighter negotiations—as proof that India deserved more strategic consideration from Russia.
The Facts Behind the Fighter: What the JF-17 Uses
Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, co-developed with China, has long relied on Russian-origin engines. The RD-93, a variant of the Klimov RD-33 used in MiG-29s, has powered the aircraft since its inception. However, Pakistan does not buy these engines directly from Russia.
Instead, a trilateral arrangement has existed since the early 2000s: Moscow supplies fully assembled engines to Beijing, which then integrates them into the JF-17 before exporting the completed jets to Pakistan. The latest RD-93MA variant—an upgraded, more powerful model—represents the newest generation of this design, making the alleged sale politically sensitive.
Russia Responds: ‘Baseless and Illogical’
In swift reaction, both Russia and India’s ruling BJP dismissed the Congress’s accusations. BJP’s Amit Malviya called it “reckless information warfare,” while Russian officials issued multiple clarifications.
Sources quoted by The Economic Times stated that Russia and India have a standing understanding—Moscow will not supply defence equipment to Pakistan that could harm Indian interests. A senior Russian diplomat said that such claims “look illogical for serious observers” and were likely intended to “spoil the atmosphere” ahead of President Putin’s visit.
Another official noted that Moscow’s cooperation level with Islamabad “is not significant enough to discomfort India,” reaffirming the strength of the long-standing India-Russia strategic partnership.
Why This Matters: A Test for Old Friends
India and Russia have shared over five decades of defence collaboration, spanning everything from fighter jets to nuclear submarines. India continues to rely heavily on Russian technology, particularly in air defence and aerospace sectors.
By contrast, Pakistan’s ties with Russia remain limited and cautious. Though the two countries signed a small deal for four Mi-35M helicopters in 2015, Moscow later rejected Pakistan’s request for new-generation Kalashnikov rifles in 2019, reportedly to reassure India of its priorities.
Experts argue that the latest controversy, even if untrue, underscores how strategic trust is increasingly under scrutiny amid shifting global alliances. With Russia deepening energy and defence ties with China, India must navigate a more complex geopolitical landscape where Moscow’s balancing act may no longer be automatic.
A Broader Lens: What If the Sale Were Real?
If, hypothetically, Russia were to supply RD-93MA engines directly to Pakistan, the move could signal a serious recalibration of its regional stance. It would grant Islamabad a technological edge and erode the diplomatic exclusivity India once enjoyed.
However, some analysts view the scenario differently. Pyotr Topychkanov of Moscow’s Primakov Institute told PTI that even if such reports were accurate, they could benefit India in two ways:
· They show that China and Pakistan still depend on Russian-origin engines, unable to replace them with indigenous versions.
· India already understands the operational characteristics of these engines, having observed them during Operation Sindoor, making future encounters more predictable.
Perception, Politics, and Pragmatism
The Russia-Pakistan engine controversy may ultimately prove to be more about perception than policy. Yet, it serves as a revealing case study of how India’s foreign policy narratives are increasingly shaped by political contestation and media-driven diplomacy.
For now, Russia’s denials appear credible, supported by years of defence cooperation and mutual dependence between Moscow and New Delhi. However, the episode is a reminder that in a rapidly changing global order—where Russia looks eastward and India diversifies its defence partnerships—loyalties can no longer be taken for granted.
Whether the storm settles or grows will depend not on engines or jets, but on how deftly India manages the fine line between strategic friendship and strategic autonomy in the years ahead.
(With agency inputs)
